Emirates Golf Club - Majlis

A flagship course at Emirates Golf Club, the Majlis championship course is a challenging par 72, 7,301-yard layout. Designed by Karl Litten, this golf course was built around the dunes on this beautiful site; where the dessert flora has still been maintained to this day. It comes as no surprise that this course was named the Best Course in the Middle East in the 2010 Asian Golf Awards.

Sculptured around the original tall desert dunes in 1987, The Majlis was the first grass course in the Middle East and takes its name from the Arabic word for 'meeting place'. One of the most prominent features on the course is the Majlis positioned between the 8th and 9th holes, while one of the most challenging holes on the course is the par 4, dogleg 8th. Stroke index 3 and playing a full 434 yards, it has the unusual distinction of playing up-hill and requires a long, well directed drive to leave a reasonable second shot to its small, undulating green where the dreaded 3-putt is always a threat. Furthermore, the par three 7th is a hole which also sticks in the player’s mind as it is lined with the full length of a lake. In the closing hole, a shot is required to conquer yet another lake to a lengthy yet narrow double green.

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The Majlis has developed a worthy reputation worldwide as a testing layout for even the best golfers. Within just one month of opening this course hosted the most important regional golf tournament, the Pan-Arab. This ‘desert miracle’ features hundreds of indigenous species of flora and fauna, beautifully complemented by meandering fairways and seven fresh and saltwater lakes which pose as hazards and increase the challenge.

Large, fast greens are a common place in the Majlis golf course, and narrow green stretches of the fairway and contoured around the sloping terrain. Due to the invigorating challenge this course provides, it is not wonder this course has attracted some of the world’s best players including Tiger Woods and Ernie Els.

The Emirates clubhouse is certainly a notable attribute of this course, and bears similarities to the Royal Pavilion. It features a selection of restaurants and bars for golfers to choose from, each providing a range of international cuisine at a high standard. Furthermore, the clubhouse also features a golf shop, selling essential golfing clothing, equipment and accessories. It invites its visitors to use its swimming pool, gym and spa facility.